A 250th birthday deserves not just one special celebration, but several.

South Lincoln County will celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America in style this week, culminating with Troy’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration Saturday.

Beginning Thursday, the Libby Friends of the Library invites the community to come celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday with Lemonade on the Lawn outside between the library and the courthouse, beginning at noon.

Big Sky Bows & Blowhards, a local group of musicians who generously volunteer their music at various events around our community, will perform. Lemonade and cookies will be provided and the event is free and open to all.

Friday, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #97 will be giving away 250 hot dogs to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. 

The public is invited to the American Legion on Friday, July 3 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to enjoy free hot dogs and patriotism.

The evening of Friday, July 3, will see Happy’s Inn hosting country legend Tanya Tucker.

Happy’s Inn will host live music and fireworks Saturday, beginning at 7:15 p.m.

Troy, as it has for more than a century, will host the county’s biggest July 4 party with thousands coming from the region and surrounding states.

But its celebration actually begins at 4 p.m. Friday with Hucklebear and Joe Martinez performing.

The Troy Chamber of Commerce and City of Troy are hosting the annual to-do in Roosevelt Park on the banks of the Kootenai River.

The day kicks off at 7:30 a.m. at Troy High School with registration for the Parent Teacher Association Color Run. The run begins at 8 a.m.

An old fashioned breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Roosevelt Park. Church services will be held at 9 a.m. at the football field and the parade begins at 11 a.m.

At noon in Roosevelt Park, the Cruisers Car Show will be held along with food booths, beer garden, vendors, artists and informational booths.

At 7 p.m., the Shauney Fisher Band will play..

The legendary fireworks display will begin at about 11 p.m. Bus service will be available after the parade. Pickup and drop off will be at Morrison Elementary School, Troy High School, Troy Activity Center and Roosevelt Park.

Organizers ask attendees to not bring dog, bicycles, personal fireworks and skateboards.

In the Yaak, the parade will begin lining up at 11 a.m. at the Yaak Rod and Gun Club and starting at 11:30. Parade marchers will go to the community hall on the Yaak River Road. After the parade, the reading of the Declaration of Independence will commence and the Bill of Rights to follow.

Anyone interested in reading should call Sandy Beder-Miller at 406-295-7095. We have done this since 2016. This year the community hall is sponsoring the entire event. It’s the perfect place to do the reading on the porch. 

Hot dogs, chips, cookies, brownies, cupcakes and water will be available.

Abayance Bay Marina is hosting the Tobacco River Ramblers band Friday, July 3. It's also a BBQ Fundraiser for Rocky Mountain Hope Network, which works to help prevent suicide by providing compassionate resources, timely support and pathways to hope for individuals and families in crisis.

A portion of all food sales will be donated to the network on behalf of Abayance Bay.

In North Lincoln County, the Indian Springs Montana Golf Course in Eureka is hosting its annual Red, White & Boom July 4 Celebration. The annual community celebration features free entry, food trucks and live musical performances by bands such as Tim Helnore Trio, Holly VanBemmel and Downtown Avenue.

Jerry’s Bar & Restaurant at Meadow Creek Golf Course in Fortine is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and will have a huge fireworks show during and after the Headliners Saving Abel on July 4. Music begins at 5. 

Sunday, July 5, join the bands for a back country side-by-side ride leaving at 10 a.m. Proceeds from ticket sales for the concert and fireworks will help feed seniors and support the Ardie Fay Foundation (https://ardiefayfoundation.com/).